Identification and characterization of spontaneous deletions within the Sp11-Sp12 prophage region of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Sakai.

Prophages make up 12% of the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli genome and play prominent roles in the evolution and virulence of this food-borne pathogen. Acquisition and loss of and rearrangements within prophage regions are the primary causes of differences in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns among strains of E. coli O157:H7.